Tag Archives: PDM 12

The latest in 3D printing technology and lightweight recycled polymers are among the innovations being showcased at the Plastics Design and Moulding Exhibition and Summit (PDM12) at the ExCel Centre in London for 29-30 May.

Tri-Tech3D will be demonstrating the magic of 3D printing performed by the latest Objet 3D printers including both the Objet30 desktop system and the unique multi-material 260Connex system. Visitors looking for plastics design inspiration can even pick up a highly detailed 3D-printed giveaway pen. Other 3D printing specialists exhibiting their latest products include Hewlett Packard, ZSolutions and Bits from Bytes.

From the world of materials innovation, technical plastics recycler Luxus is showcasing a new lightweight polymer made from up to 60% recycled content and with high scratch resistance. The new polymer enables automotive manufacturers to reduce vehicle weight to help meet toughening CO2 emission targets. The lightweight polymer has been developed to replace standard talc filled grades for car interior components and offers a weight reduction of 10-15% compared to typical 25% talc-filled material.

Visitors can meet representatives from every part of the UK plastics community including leading industry names from injection moulding machinery makers Engel, Sumitomo Demag and Billion. Among other premier exhibitors are polymer producers Bayer MaterialScience, polymer distributors Distrupol, Plastribution and Ultrapolymers and masterbatch and additive suppliers Gabriel-Chemie and Pantone. Rapid prototyping companies like Midas and Ogle have also returned for PDM12.

The free-to-attend PDM12 Summit tackles a host of in-depth topics focusing on the core subject of Best Practice in Plastics Design. It will include award-winning design and innovation case studies as well as expert views on emerging market trends and future challenges. Highlight of the first day is keynote speaker Dennis Turner, formerly chief economist for HSBC. He reviews the current state of manufacturing in the UK economy, our close relationship with the critical Eurozone and outlines what we need to do to get back to growth.

Edward Bainbridge director of Visible 24/7 will give delegates an insight into the new possibilities offered by glow in the dark plastics technology. On the second day the British Plastics Federation (BPF) sessions at the Summit will cover rotational moulding, as well as advances in additives and masterbatch including laser marking and glow in the dark technology.

Back by popular demand at PDM 12 is the free Plastics Surgery – Ask the Consultant offering practical advice on manufacturing a product in plastic. Experts from the Plastics Consultancy Network, specialists in plastics design, manufacturing and materials issues, will be on hand to assist any PDM visitor.

These are just a few examples of the innovations which can be found at PDM12. The exhibition and Summit (sponsored by Distrupol) are free to attend. Visit http://www.pdmevent.com for a list of all exhibitors and travel advice on getting to PDM12 at the ExCel Centre via car or public transport. Registration on arrival is quick and easy. PDM12 is co-located with Product Design + Innovation Conference http://www.pdesigni.com

The Polymer Training and Innovation Centre (PTIC) has announced it will be launching its new injection moulding simulation package at this year’s PDM exhibition.

PICAT II builds on the success of the original software product PICAT. Redeveloped as a web-based package, the latest version retains all of the original features, along with improved graphics and refined mathematical models to provide an enhanced user experience.

The simulator is designed to operate in the same way as an injection moulding machine. Users are provided with a simulated machine set up to produce a defective plastic product and are required to remedy the fault by adjusting the machine controls until it is manufactured to specification.

The Telford-based PTIC will be showcasing the software at stand 54 at PDM. Visitors will be able to try the demonstration version and see how realistic the software behaves to the performance of a real moulding machine.

Operations Manager Charmaine Bowers said: “This is the first opportunity for people to get a glimpse of PICAT II – the only software simulation package of its kind.

“Available as a stand-alone product to be used as part of a company’s training, or packaged with external training or consultancy, this software can really help improve staff efficiency, allowing users to experience a “real” processing environment without the company incurring costs for interrupting production or material wastage.

“We are very excited to be unveiling this package and are looking forward to discussing with companies a variety of ways that staff development can be used to improve operating performance.”

PDM 2012 is being held at the ExCeL Exhibition Centre, London, on May 29 and 30.

Cooper Technology will be launching the Smart Heat™ barrel heating system from Xaloy and a new range of ProMix Static Mixers at PDM 12 next week at London ExCel (29-30 May).

ProMix Static Mixers can be used to enhance the performance of extruder and injection screws. They can also improve performance when it is not practical to replace the screw.

The CEO of ProMix will be on the Cooper Technology stand for the second day of the show to answer any technical queries from visitors.

The many benefits of using ProMix Static Mixers include a saving of between 20 and 30% on master batch usage, better balancing of cavities in the hot runner and increased tensile strength. They can also prevent colour streaks or flow lines and reduce cycle time. They give better tolerances and lower scrap rates as well as allowing the increased use of regrind material.

Visit Cooper Technology on stand P32 at PDM 12 taking place 29-30 May at ExCel, London www.pdmevent.com .

With the ability to match all 3,400 standard PANTONE Colours in the PANTONE PLUS SERIES and PANTONE FASHION + HOME Colour System Libraries, PANTONE PLASTIC STANDARD Chips provide designers with an internationally-recognised colour language for plastics.

PANTONE PLASTIC STANDARD Chips are sold individually, making it possible for designers to send complete colour specifications, along with their designs, to clients and manufacturers – increasing efficiencies, reducing costs and accelerating speed to market.

“Colour is a critical element in product development and even the slightest inconsistency can impact market success,” said Giovanni Marra, director of corporate marketing at Pantone. “The new PLASTIC STANDARD Chips are matched to internationally recognized PANTONE Colour Libraries, making the coordination across all materials – from products and packaging to advertising collateral and Web properties – simple and reliable. For example, PANTONE PLUS 205 is the same in paper, plastic and online.”

Visit Pantone LLC on stand 85 at PDM 12 taking place 29-30 May at ExCel, London www.pdmevent.com .

Hot runner and injection moulding accessories specialist Gunther UK will be showing its energy-saving Blueflow® range of nozzle heaters on Stand 32 at PDM 12 on 29 and 30May.

Blueflow® nozzle heaters use approximately 50% less power than traditional coil heaters and because of the narrow shaft diameters also enable the tool designer to position water closer to the gate.

Gunther is also to show its innovative PM gate insert, which as well as guiding the valve pin into an exact position also eliminates the possibility of gate wear in the cavity insert.

The company is also exhibiting its range of Rainer Knarr mould accessories and DLC coated parts for the medical and food packaging industries. This coating has a very low co-efficient of friction and can run without the need for any lubricants.

The British Plastics Federation is to stage an afternoon of seminars dedicated to rotational moulding on the second day of the Summit at PDM 12, taking place at London ExCel.

Karen Drinkwater, chairwoman of the BPF Rotational Moulding Group, will host the session on 30th May.

Dr. Mark McCourt of Queens University Belfast will begin by delivering overview of sample products, their properties and markets served by rotational moulding.

Rotomouding materials: challenges and opportunities will be covered in the next session led by Dr. Nick Henwood, Rotomotive Ltd.

This will be followed by a designer case study in rotational moulding presented by Hans Petersen, partner at Creative Design.

Stuart Wright of Rototek covers at the topical subject of sustainability at the right price.

Then in the final session of the afternoon members of the BPF Rotational Moulders group, including representatives from Corilla Plastics , JSC Rotational, JFC Plastics and Leafield-Environmental, will look at the subject of excellence in rotational moulding

Bedford-based Midas Pattern Company, which specialises in the production of high quality, low volume, polyurethane mouldings, will be celebrating another successful year in the health and analytical sectors, when it exhibits on stand 19 at PDM 12 taking place 29- 30 May.

The company will be bringing examples of complex mouldings manufactured in-house using its two patented production systems FASTrim™ for prototyping in production materials and MRIM™ for short-run production volumes.

As MD, Alan Rance, explains; “We are finding an buoyant market, particularly for our MRIM mouldings, in scientific applications, where large, complex, multi-part assemblies require not only accuracy and precision but also an excellent standard of finish. We have been particularly pleased to see this type of work coming back into the UK from overseas – a trend we look forward to seeing continue.”